THE LEIST I CAN DO: On a Crimson Squad Full of Stars, Cahow Shines the Brightest

If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my first few weeks covering the Harvard women’s hockey team, it’s this: asking about individual achievements will only get you an answer about the team.

And as frustrating as that can be for a writer, it says a lot about the attitude that has taken the team to the top of the polls, an impressive 27-1 regular season record, and the ECAC’s second-ever perfect conference season.

But tomorrow, a couple of standouts from the country’s top squad will get their chance to shine when the 10 finalists for the Patty Kazmaier Award are announced.

Junior forward Sarah Vaillancourt, sophomore goaltender Christina Kessler, and senior defender Caitlin Cahow are all candidates for the award, which honors the best player in collegiate women’s hockey.

So the question—who among them is worthy of the honor?

Vaillancourt is probably the flashiest of the trio, the offensive star on a team full of front-line weapons. She’s a press-box favorite, is known for her highlight-reel goals, and thrives under late-game pressure.

The Olympian has 21 goals so far this year, with three of those coming in the last weekend of the regular season. On Friday night, it was her shorthanded, last-minute heroics that lifted the Crimson over Colgate to preserve the perfect season.

Vaillancourt ranks fifth nationally with 53 points and is tied for second in the country with 32 assists.

While Vaillancourt has headed up the offense, it’s Kessler who has anchored the defense. She leads the nation in nearly every goaltending category and recently set the NCAA record for shutouts in a single

season, recording 11 clean sheets through 25 games.

Kessler owns a miniscule 0.89 goals-against average and a .959 save percentage. She’s come up with big saves and kept Harvard in close games.

On only one occasion this season—the team’s only loss, which came at the hands of No. 2 New Hampshire back on Dec. 14—has Kessler let more than two goals past her pads.

But as impressive as Kessler has been this season, she couldn’t do it without a little help. That help has come from a defensive unit led by tri-captain Cahow.

Her teammates and coach praise the Olympian for her defensive play and leadership, but what’s most impressive about Cahow is her versatility.

When the Crimson goes on the power play, Cahow makes the jump to forward—and shines.

She leads the team with 11 power play goals, which is good for second in the nation. She also leads the squad in shooting percentage (.149) and trails only Vaillancourt and first-line center Jenny Brine in points, with 29 so far this season on 13 goals and 16 assists.

So when it all shakes out, which one of Harvard’s three superstars will make the cut?

History is certainly on the Crimson’s side for this one. The Kazmaier award has been given out for ten years now, and has been awarded to a Harvard player five times. No other school has had multiple players recognized.

And if you’re going to look at past trends, it’s Vaillancourt who would be favored. Eight forwards have won the award, compared to just one goalie and one defenseman.

But statistics and past history aren’t enough to get you to the top of the Kazmaier heap. The award also considers sportsmanship, clutch performance, character, and a love of hockey.

If you ask me, if the award goes to a Harvard player, the choice is clear—it’s Cahow.

While Kessler’s stats are impressive, she has been blessed with a defense that only lets her see about 25 shots a game. Her performance in the last two games of the regular season was less impressive than usual, as she allowed two goals apiece to sub-.500 Colgate and Cornell. And she’s only in her first season as a starting goalie, so she’s untested in the clutch.

Vaillancourt has had an outstanding season, but I think being on a team with a surplus of offensive weapons will hurt her chances. Because so many of Harvard’s forwards can score, she’s not the go-to option as much as she might be on a less experienced team.

She’s certainly a huge part of why the Crimson has been so successful this season, but I don’t think she’s been able to be dominant enough to win the Kazmaier.

In my book, Cahow is the keystone that’s held the Harvard hockey team together. She’s a force at both ends of the ice, a defenseman who produces offensively, an integral part of the special teams units, and a clutch player.

And if you’ve ever spoken to Cahow, or even watched her play, you know that there is nothing she loves more than playing Harvard hockey.

But don’t take my word for it. The Crimson opens up their ECAC quarterfinal series with Cornell at home on Friday night. So head down to Bright Hockey Center, watch these girls play, and decide for yourself.

—Staff writer Kate Leist can be reached at kleist@fas.harvard.edu.